I feel like he was so effortlessly cool and his music felt so effortless that in a way he’s underappreciated. He should be considered one of the great American songwriters and artists yet he’s not in part, I think, because it never feels like he breaks a sweat doing anything he does

Sadly no greatest Hits Volume 2 yet, but here’s some of my favorites:

I got hooked on that greatest hits record, listened to it constantly when it came out. I also loved the entire soundtrack album he did for an Edward Burns movie, She’s the One.

Wow, you hit me right in the emotions. Great story.

Cannot believe how far I had to scroll down before finally finding this reference. This AV Club ain’t what it used to be.

I saw him 3 times and he was incredible every time. One of my favorite performers ever. If you haven’t seen this performance of “It’s Good to be King” then please take some time to listen to it.

When I was a kid in high school, me and some of the other guys in the high school band listened to Traveling Wilburys vol 1 obsessively.

My dad raised me on Cat Stevens, Tom Petty, David Bowie, The Beatles, The Who, Queen, all the classic rock music.

Jesus christ. With all the terrible people in the world, how is it the guy who wrote “Straight Into Darkness” and “I Won’t Back Down” the one that falls behind?! Petty was a legend. His music was so damn good and never once did he seem like anything but a nice, normal dude.

When I heard the local rock station play three Petty songs in a row, I stopped what I was doing and checked news. They only do that in memoriam and when they get inducted into the HOF.

I wouldn’t tempt fate...

wow. more depressed now than beginning of article.

I just saw him last month!

Rest in peace, Tom Petty. May you forever ride down the King’s Highway.

Probably my most favorite live performance ever recorded. Prince melted that place down.

He made me buy a stereo for my truck during my college years with “Running Down a Dream”. Those behind-the-seat speakers seemed otherworldly. It’s also apparent he had a great sense of humor, as evidenced by “Hello CD Listeners”, which is found on the same album.

I cannot say this clearly enough: Read his book. Immensely inspiring and confessional without being mawkish. I loved his music, of course, as a high schooler in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was like a soundtrack for puberty for me. But the book - even for the casual fan - is fascinating. If for no other reason…

He’s one of my favorite artists ever (have 10-plus of his albums, the book from his documentary, saw him live a few times) and while I am sad, I’ve got to say...I’m just thankful he had a long, good run. That’s the main emotion — thanks.

The man was practically my hero. Haven’t been this upset about a celebrity dying since Adam Yauch.

This made me tear up. :(